Erwin Reeves Will Lead Mechanics Bank’sNewly Formed Small Business Team

Move consolidates the bank’s SBA, Community Development Corporation and Small Business Banking activities

RICHMOND, CA, August 9, 2011 — Erwin Reeves has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Mechanics Bank and will manage the Bank's lending programs under its Community Development Corporation and the U.S. Business Small Business Administration. The reorganization reflects the bank’s strong focus on the small business market segment – which continues to be the major driver of economic growth.

Reeves has spent his entire banking career with Mechanics Bank, starting as a management trainee after graduating from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. His first assignment was as an Assistant Branch Manager, followed by various lending positions with the Corporate Banking Group. Since 2001 he has served as the Bank’s Community Development Manager. In 2004, Erwin was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of The Mechanics Bank Community Development Corporation, the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary that administers the Bank’s participation in the New Markets Tax Credit Program. He added the title of Community Reinvestment Act Officer in 2007.

“Erwin is a seasoned banker with over 20 years of industry experience and a strong track record managing the Bank’s Community Development Corporation,” said Scott McAdams, head of Mechanics Bank’s Corporate Banking Group. “Through his many community activities he has become one of the most familiar faces of our bank, and established a great rapport with many of our small business clients. We think these qualities make him ideal to lead our small business team.”

Reeves holds or has held numerous board positions with local nonprofits, including the Community Housing Development Corporation, Neighborhood House of North Richmond, Community Budget Advisory Committee, Rosie the Riveter Trust, OBDC Small Business Finance, East Bay Golf Foundation, and Rubicon Programs, Inc.

A resident of San Pablo, he has a large extended family living throughout the Bay Area. His hobbies include golfing, watching sports and spending time with family and friends.

About Mechanics Bank

For more than a century, Mechanics Bank has been committed to helping people build prosperous communities as a trusted financial partner, forging lasting relationships through teamwork, respect and integrity. The bank has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 100 Corporate Philanthropists in the Bay Area and one of the Top Ten Best Places to Work in 2010 and 2011. The $2.9 billion independent bank, headquartered in Richmond, California, offers personal banking, business banking, trust and wealth management services across Northern California. For more information, please visit www.mechanicsbank.com.

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